Description
This Asopao de Pollo is a flavorful and comforting Puerto Rican chicken and rice stew! Tender chicken, fragrant spices, and a medley of vegetables simmer together in a rich broth, creating a hearty and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs), cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 medium green bell pepper, chopped
- 1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 1/2 teaspoons sazón seasoning with achiote
- 1 tablespoon adobo seasoning
- 8 ounces tomato sauce
- 4 cups low-sodium or no-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup medium-grain rice
- 1 cup frozen or fresh peas
- 1 cup sliced green olives (optional)
- 1 bay leaf
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Lime wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Brown Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown chicken pieces on all sides.
- Sauté Vegetables and Spices: Add onion, bell peppers, and garlic to the pot. Sauté until softened. Stir in cumin, oregano, sazón seasoning, and adobo seasoning. Cook until fragrant.
- Simmer with Liquids: Pour in tomato sauce and chicken broth. Bring to a simmer.
- Add Rice: Stir in rice and bay leaf. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes, or until rice is tender and chicken is cooked through.
- Add Peas and Olives: Stir in peas and olives (if using). Cook for 5 minutes, or until peas are heated through. Season with black pepper to taste.
- Serve: Remove bay leaf. Ladle asopao into bowls and garnish with cilantro and parsley. Serve with lime wedges.
Notes
- Adjust the stew’s consistency by adding more broth if needed.
- Monitor the rice during cooking to prevent it from becoming mushy.
- Add a splash of white wine or a pinch of saffron for extra flavor.
- Substitute cilantro with more parsley or fresh oregano if preferred.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 80mg